SRINAGAR, Sept 13 
The Jammu and Kashmir Government plans to shift the
district headquarter town of Kargil in the Ladakh region
to a "safer zone" out of the firing range of
Pakistani troops.

According to official
sources here an alternative road link is also under
consideration to avoid the movement of traffic on the 4
km stretch on the Srinagar-Kargil highway enroute to Leh.
Vehicles on this stretch near Kargil town frequently
become target of Pakistani firing and shelling.

The firing affects the
movement of vehicles to the frontier region of Ladakh
particularly during the summer season when truckloads of
essential commodities are transported for the winter
season. The road link to the Ladakh region remains cut
off for more than six months due to heavy snowfall at Pir
Panchal ranges of the Himalayas.

A decision to construct an
alternative road link of 12-km in place of the 4-km
stretch has been taken by the state government in
consultation with the Defence Ministry. The Jammu and
Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had earlier
approached the Defence Ministry in this regard. Following
a nod from the Centre, the site for the construction of
the alternative road has been identified. The realignment
of the link road is being taken up and is awaiting the
release of funds to the state government.

Due to the frequent
shelling and firing on the Srinagar-Leh highway near
Kargil, the movement of traffic is regulated only during
night. In the past two months a number of such incidents
have taken place and no movement of traffic is allowed
during day. The vehicles, with all lights switched off,
are allowed to move on the highway only during night to
avoid spotting by the Pakistani troops.

According to the sources
the decision to shift Kargil town was taken to avoid more
casualties due to firing from across the border which has
become a regular feature now. The retaliatory firing by
the Army, reportedly, does not cause much damage to the
civilian population or the property on the other side of
the border, for the villages in the area have been
evacuated. The shifting of the town, is going to be an
additional burden on the already cash strapped state of
Jammu and Kashmir.

Nearly 20 civilians were
killed and over 50 houses damaged in Pak shelling on
Kargil town in September last year. The authorities had
planned to construct underground bunkers for the
civilians. About 500 such bunkers were planned, but the
plan was shelved half-way for lack of funds. A few
bunkers were made in the town area out of the district
funds. But, these did not prove useful following
escalation in firing and shelling from across the border.

Meanwhile, life in Kargil
town has remained disrupted since Friday after over 50
shells hit the area causing damage to government and
private buildings. A number of employees from outside
have fled the area. Shops and business establishments
continue to remain closed after the Friday firing. But
there has been no report of fresh firing by the Pakistani
troops.